BERNALILLO, N.M., -- A Girl Scout Camporee isn’t just an overnight camp with sing-a-longs and badge work anymore. This year it included endangered species origami; dam building, tower design, and a UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) coloring station, all courtesy of the District’s STEM agreement with the Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts from all over northern New Mexico participated in the 2014 STEM Camporee Sept. 13, at Rotary Park, sponsored by the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails. The Camporee’s purpose is for the Scouts, in grades K-12, to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through fun and educational activities. It also introduces them to STEM fields and future career opportunities.

This year, Project Managers Amanda Tapia-Pittman and Carol Wies-Brewer, Workforce Management Specialist Jeannette Alderete, and Department of the Army intern Michelle Mann volunteered at the district’s booth helping more than 700 Scouts learn more about endangered species, how and why dams are built, and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) safety.

“The event was highly successful and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' booth received raving reviews and was packed with interested Girl Scouts. Someone even told one of our volunteers that our booth was the best there,” said Mann.